For my amazing grandparents!

A Grandma Like You

I just want to let you know
You mean the world to me.
Only a heart as dear as yours
Would give so unselfishly.
The many things you've done,
All the times that you were there;
Help me know deep down inside
How much you really care.
Even though I might not say,
I appreciate all you do;
Richly blessed is how I feel,
Having a grandma just like you.

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. ~Author Unknown

Grandma, when I think of you I don't think of money spent, or small quarrels we have had, I don't think of miles between us, or even our talks on the phone. When I think of you I think of laughter, and singing, I think of the feeling I used to have as a kid, when I could climb onto your lap and lay my head on your chest and feel you breathing. Smelling the "Charlie" cologne, and listening to you talk about all sorts of things with your new york accent. When I think of you I think of happiness and smiles, and banana boat tanning lotion. When I think of you I think of home. I love you. I can't wait to see you next week!!!

Grandpa

From the time I was

a little kid I remember

how much fun

it was to be with you

and how easy it was

to talk to you-

I always looked forward

to our "together times"

And on this special day

I wanted you to know

I still enjoy the special

closeness that we share.

A grandfather is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend. ~Author Unknown

Grandpa, I am so glad to have you in my life every day. Even if we go a long time and not see each other or talk to each other, I know you are still thinking of me and will be there when I need you...and I hope you know the same about me. I could live to be a thousand years old and never forget your hands tying lines on my fishing pole. Your voice brings me peace and your presence brings me comfort. Thank you for loving me so much all my life. I love you! See you soon!!

What a week...and its only Wednesday!

Not even one picture can really capture the mess this week feels like it has been already and it is only Wednesday! Labor Day came to an interesting end when 5 storms passed through Cherokee county, leaving homes destroyed, cars flipped over on the highway, and buildings with roofs torn off thanks to an F1 tornado that came down 2 exits south, and didn't stop for 5 exits north of us, and missing our neighborhood by less than a mile! Thanks to T.S Lee, we had a scary afternoon, but as of this morning have been enjoying temps in the 50s!!! I am really hoping as I sit here with my door and windows open and day two of no a/c on, that this isnt some mean joke mother nature is playing on us and we will get some fall in here now and get a break from our record busting scorching drought summer we have suffered through!
Yesterday I took a mental day off. I didn't get to the gym, but I did get some cleaning done around the house, and then spent the whole rest of the day and into the night planted in front of the T.V with the kids just relaxing. The doors were open, we were under blankets, and I made peanut butter cookies. (I had 2). It was a lovely day!
This morning I got the kids off to school as always, even though Laci is dealing with a cold, or allergies, or something currently, and then hit the gym. I came home soaked and wiped out, and now I am planning another low key day. I think I may be on some kind of mental strike! 
This morning Christopher informed me he has a wiggly tooth, and that when it comes out he is going to put ketchup on it, now in my head I am thinking bc he wants to play a prank on me saying its a bloody tooth....but then he says..."so the tooth fairy will like it better when she eats it!"....Oh boy...poor thing....it has occured to me a lot lately that common sense may not be this boy's finer talent in life....I explained that she does not EAT the teeth but merely collects them...and he laughed and realized how odd that would be if she did indeed eat them "like on a sandwich"....sigh....LOL!
Well, I guess for now I will get back to my doing nothing while working on a list to start packing for Florida in 12 days! I am so excited! I cannot wait to be on the beach fishing and playing with the kids and hanging out with my grandparents! This is going to be great!! (now I just need to hit the lottery! ha!)
Happy Wednesday!

Happy Labor Day Monday!

Honestly, I am not even 100% sure what it is we are celebrating today....how bad is that? I know common sense wise it has something to do about people who work (hard labor i think) and have this recognized day in their honor maybe? I don't know....but...its always nice to have a Monday at home with everyone since usually its the loneliest day of the week for me.

I didn't sleep hardly at all last night. I couldn't fall asleep until almost 1am, and then I was woke up at 4am by a terrible pain on my C-section scar. This is the second time in a month now I have had issues with a soft lump that has come up on the right side of the scar, almost like a lymph node. The pain feels like I just had my c-section and has that same tugging pulling tearing feeling as moving around post surgery. So with my mind instantly snowballing I started researching and found that I most likely have endometriosis. And that inflamed little lump is uterus cells that are reacting to my hormones of my menstrual cycle....too much info for you yet at 8:28am? Well, after pages of research, I seriously think I have been suffering with this for a while and its been causing some of my other aches, pains, and health problems in the last few years. I am going to call the doc tomorrow and see about getting in for an MRI or U/S or larescopy. Then we can see if I am right. The pain is pretty unbearable this morning, but I am going to send Brian to Walgreen's in a few to get me some more Motrin to help...if he ever wakes up! Geeze!

It's kinda sad when medical crap is the most exciting part of your week huh?

In other even more exciting news...We only have 2 weeks til Florida!!! By this time we will be getting off the highway for breakfast hopefully in Cordelle. I cannot wait!! I guess I should start writing up stuff for the house sitter and stock up on dog food! I also need to start my packing lists, and get Brian to pull down the luggage soon. So happy! I just cannot wait!!! I need to email the person at the condo and find out when we need to pay the rest of the rent by too! Whew! I am already tired! 

Anyhow we have this storm system moving in today that came from the gulf, T.S Lee, and so far there isn't a whole lot to write on it, but they say we could still see up to 7 inches of rain...but I am starting to think that number is a stretch. However, a few days of steady drizzle and rain is a welcome change. I hope it gets the air good and clean, and maybe brings in some fall for us!

Hope everyone enjoys their day! Happy Monday!

Waiting on the rain...

While the rain is bad for many because of the mass amounts coming, we need the rain so bad. All the gardens around are dry and brown, slow producing if at all. Corn crops are done already and dried up, tomato plants aren't producing fruit, and even my own little garden has had its share of issues because of the lack of rain. And now, after less than a 1/2" of rain in the whole month of August, we are now possibly in the track for a tropical storm that made landfall yesterday in Louisiana, and we could see up to 7 inches of rain from it over the next 3 days! And while I know that will cause some flash flood issues, I couldn't be happier to see this parched land get a good soaking before the official start to Fall!

Going to try and start getting into a more steady routine this week, even with Monday throwing a wrench since everyone is off, and start trying to get more accomplished around the house and add a bit more time to my workouts. Tuesday I had planned on going to the track again (although I still can't walk good from being so strained and pulled from Thursday's almost 5 mile power walk/jog) but with the rain coming I may not be able to until Thursday, so I am hoping to hit the gym for at least an hour of cardio on Tuesday too. So far this first week as of this morning I have lost 4 pounds. I am still not drinking as much water as I should be, but I am drinking even less soda than ever (diet already). I need to add more dairy, fruits, and veggies in this week...I am getting too many meals off almost carbs alone and I know that's a major downfall for me. My goal this week is to drink 3 bottles of water a day, and have fruits or veggies and dairy a few times a day too, and to extend the length of my workouts. I have 2 weeks left before Florida, and I would like to see my prevacation weight at least so that I will be starting back on the big weight loss track I was on before letting it all go to hell for the summer. I am just hoping that by tomorrow morning I feel even better walking wise, lol, because I have been hobbling around like a little old lady for days now! My motto this week has been "I sure ain't 20 anymore!". 

We spent yesterday in Cumming with Brian's grandparents. That was nice, and as an added bonus we took Claudia to a family garage sale and got to see Belinda and Milton who we haven't seen in years! (Brian's cousins) and even met some other family members we have never met before! My kids didn't remember who they were, but they were happy to learn they had more family and gave lots of hugs! Laci's day was made when Belinda let her go to town on costume Jewelry and she picked 4 pairs of clip on earrings, a few necklaces, and a bracelet. Christopher was delighted when Belinda told him to fill a box with Halloween decorations that were for sale, and he picked a whole box worth of trinkets and odds and ends. It was nice to see them, but made me sad at the same time. I wish things haven't gone the way they have in the last few years. I am sad my kids have missed out on so much family time they could have been having. Its a shame how family falls apart sometimes. But at least with the family they have (even if its years between visits) they know they are loved dearly by those who chose to stay in their lives, and for that, I am very thankful.

I have a little shopping to do today, and I want to get the garage cleaned back up and work on organizing the food shelves better out there. But for the most part its just going to be an easy laid back lazy Sunday, and we will sit and wait for God to let that wonderful rain pour down on us! Have a happy Sunday!!!